DHJ Quick Take: Alanna Smith Set to Return as Wings’ Defensive Anchor
Alanna Smith is set to return to the Dallas Wings on Monday, June 1, after an illness sidelined her for one game, and she has practiced each of the past two days.
- Is Alanna Smith playing Monday? Smith is set to return for the Dallas Wings‘ Commissioner’s Cup opener against the Seattle Storm on Monday, June 1, after practicing each of the past two days. She missed Thursday’s 95-87 win over Las Vegas with an illness.
- Why does her return matter now? With forward Awak Kuier ruled out with a right wrist injury, Dallas is short-handed in the frontcourt, making Smith’s two-way presence especially important.
- What does Alanna Smith bring? Smith is the reigning WNBA Co-Defensive Player of the Year, sharing the 2025 award with A’ja Wilson, and signed a three-year deal with Dallas as a versatile defender who can guard across positions.
- How have teammates described her? Paige Bueckers called Smith the Wings’ defensive anchor, communicator, and leader, saying her impact goes beyond made or missed shots.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Alanna Smith is set to return for the Dallas Wings after an illness kept the veteran forward out of Thursday’s 95-87 win over the Las Vegas Aces. Smith practiced each of the past two days as Dallas prepared for Monday’s game against the Seattle Storm.
Smith has been managing a medical issue this season and has played in a protective mask. Head coach Jose Fernandez asked for patience as she works through it.
“I think she needs to be shown some grace,” Fernandez said.
Her return comes with the Dallas frontcourt short-handed. Awak Kuier has been ruled out for Monday with a right wrist injury, which makes Smith’s two-way presence especially important.
A Defensive Anchor
Smith signed a three-year deal with Dallas in the offseason as one of the league’s top defensive players, fresh off sharing the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award with A’ja Wilson. Her length and versatility let her guard across positions, and her value to the Wings has centered on that end of the floor.
“Regardless of made or missed shots, she carries a huge, huge presence on this team defensively, being our anchor and being our communicator and our leader that way,” Paige Bueckers said. “Basketball is so much more than made and missed shots and how many points you scored. To have her on the floor, there’s a lot of stuff that you don’t see behind the scenes that really makes an impact on winning basketball.”
Fighting Through Early Adversity
Smith is averaging 3.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 7 games, and her early shooting has yet to round into form. Her teammates have pointed to her competitiveness as she works through it.
“She’s just a fighter. She’s a competitor. She just wants to win, and for her, it’s like, how can she bring wins? That’s all she really cares about,” Bueckers said. “I know obviously being out with that little illness wasn’t great, but she’s just going to be right back in the gym. She’s a workhorse, and she just comes into the gym with a positive attitude.”
The Wings leaned on their depth in her absence. Jessica Shepard framed the response as a group effort rather than a one-for-one replacement.
“It’s not an individual that needs to fill in for another individual. It’s just a collective picking up the pieces that are missing that night,” Shepard said.
What’s Next
Smith’s return adds a Defensive Player of the Year to a team that has talked all season about taking its next step on defense. The Wings (5-3) host the Storm on Monday at College Park Center in their Commissioner’s Cup opener.
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